You may even be asked to spit into a special tube. įor each test, you or your healthcare provider will use a special swab to collect samples from your nose or throat. They can be taken anywhere, including at home. There are also antigen self-tests available that are easy to use and produce rapid results. Other times, specimens need to be sent to a laboratory for testing. Some providers, offices and clinics can do antigen, molecular or combination testing for flu, COVID-19 and other select respiratory viruses at the same time using point-of-care tests. If you have a negative antigen test but still have symptoms of COVID-19, your healthcare provider may recommend you receive a molecular test to confirm the results. Antigen tests provide results more quickly than molecular tests, but they have a higher chance of false negatives (missing an active COVID-19 infection). Antigen tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus.These tests are highly accurate and can detect COVID-19 even if you don’t have symptoms.

Molecular tests (PCR, nucleic acid amplification tests, NAATs, and other molecular amplification tests) detect the genetic material of the virus.

There are two classes of diagnostic tests:

Antibody tests may be able to tell if you've had a past infection with COVID-19Ī diagnostic test will determine if you have an active COVID-19 infection.

Diagnostic tests check for an active infection with COVID-19.

Walgreens covid testing